WASHINGTON - American University women's soccer made a late push with a penalty-kick goal in the 88th minute, but the Eagles' comeback bid fell short in a 2-1 loss against UNC Greensboro on a hot Thursday afternoon at Reeves Field.
The Spartans (3-2-1) held a 1-0 halftime lead and doubled their advantage with just over six minutes remaining before the Eagles cut the deficit in half three minutes later. American continued to press for the equalizer in the closing minutes but was unable to find a second goal.
Notable
- Senior Lauren Sanders scored the goal for AU, which was her second penalty-kick goal of the season and third overall goal of her career.
- Freshman goalkeeper Riley Molbury made seven saves, matching her season high.
- Six different players took shots on goal for American.
How it Happened
- The Eagles controlled possession in the early going, but not enough to make any big push on offense.
- Molbury made her first save in the 17th minute, and posted three more by halftime.
- Off a free kick in the 36th minute, Avery Barr headed in the shot by Madison Bass, getting past Molbury in the upper right corner.
- UNC Greensboro turned up the offensive pressure in the second half, but AU's defense thwarted every attempt until just six minutes remained in the game.
- After AU's defenders blocked two shots by the Spartans, Rina Ogimoto scored in the scramble to put her team up 2-0.
- With just under three minutes to go, sophomore Natalia Croce and junior Nariah Goldman both had great looks on goal after a free kick from Sanders, but both were saved by UNCG's Blythe Clark.
- After Goldman's shot, she was fouled in the box and Sanders took the resulting penalty kick, placing it into the lower left corner to put American on the board.
- Sanders got AU back on offense again with just over a minute left, but the Eagles couldn't get another shot on target.
Up Next
- The Eagles will be back at home to face Elon on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m.
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